Page 25

JAXON

T heo and Crusoe were sitting at the kitchen table arguing about some stupid video game.

The dishes had gotten washed, but they still pulled out plastic storage containers to use as cereal bowls.

The containers held about three times the amount of a cereal bowl, so when I picked up the cereal box and shook it there were only a few flakes left.

I shook the box and poured the last few flakes on Crusoe's head.

We'd had plenty of good times, all of us living at the Shack, but the whole group living thing was starting to get on my nerves.

I was the oldest and should have had a place of my own already, but that took money, money I didn't have.

Crusoe shook his head. Cereal sprayed everywhere. His dog, Rosco, got up off his pillow and quickly cleaned the floor.

"Thought you'd be in a good mood this morning," Crusoe said. "What with all the"—he cleared his throat—"noises coming out of your room last night."

Another reason I needed to find my own place. This house had paper thin walls. "Hey, Cru, don't ever talk about noises from my bedroom again, got it, lil' bro?"

"Yes, sir." He saluted. Crusoe excelled at being annoying. "Has she talked her dad into giving Croft Beach back to the original owners—namely, the surfers?"

I pulled the box of frozen waffles out of the freezer and popped a few into the toaster.

"I wish I had that kind of sway with my dad.

" Bridget's soft voice pulled our attention to the kitchen doorway.

She'd pulled the T-shirt back on, which came nearly to her knees.

Even in my oversized shirt she stirred every inch of me.

Theo and Crusoe sat up straighter too. Something about her disheveled hair and unusual outfit made her look extra hot.

"Waffle?" I asked.

"Hmm, yes please." She paused before pulling out a chair to sit down. "Uh, there is syrup, right?"

"Yep, bought a big ole bottle of it for just three dollars," Theo bragged.

Crusoe looked at him. "You do realize the cheap stuff is just brown corn syrup and flavors? That goo never came out of a tree or out of Vermont, for that matter."

"Still tastes good," Theo said.

"I agree," Bridget said. She looked longingly at the coffeepot. Theo and Crusoe rarely drank coffee, but Griffin always made a full pot. He liked to down three cups before work. Two was good for me.

"Coffee?" I asked. I'd had many women stay over for breakfast, but having Bridget sitting in our crummy little kitchen felt way different. I was almost nervous, and I never felt nervous.

"Yes, pleeeze," she said, then covered her mouth. "God, did that sound desperate?"

"It's all right," Theo said. "You should see Griffin in the morning before he's had his coffee. And little word of advice—never get in between Fin and the coffeepot when he hasn't had his first cup. He once picked me up and tossed me out of the way."

Crusoe laughed. "He sure as fuck did, and it was one of the greatest moments in my life.

Theo landed on his ass, and he just stared up at Fin with his mouth hanging open.

" Crusoe mimicked the face Theo was wearing.

"It was definitely one of those 'fuck, where the hell is my phone' moments.

But it's all right." Crusoe tapped his temple. "I've got it all right up here."

Theo chomped down on his cereal and stared at Crusoe as he told the story. Crusoe smiled and shrugged. "It was classic," Crusoe said as he dug back into his own cereal.

"I don't know about classic," Theo said.

"Classic is more like the time you thought you could jump from the roof of Mikey Tremble's house to his garage.

" Theo looked over at Bridget. "He landed on the top of Mikey's dad's convertible VW, then he bounced, like a ball, up in the air and landed on the driveway feet first."

"Oh wow," Bridget said. "So you stuck the landing? I used to be a gymnast. I did something similar to that yesterday."

Theo smiled over at Crusoe. My little brother was staring into his vast container of cereal.

"He landed it," Theo said, "but he broke both ankles."

Bridget flinched. "Oh, yeah that would definitely not be considered a good landing."

Crusoe scooped up a spoonful of cereal and flicked the whole wet blob at Theo. Theo moved sideways, and the mess landed on the floor. Thankfully, Rosco was ready for more cleanup.

I put the waffles on plates and carried them to the table. "You never told me you were a gymnast," I said. Of course, my dirty mind immediately started coming up with ways to use her talents in the bedroom. She obviously read those dirty thoughts.

"If you're picturing me twisting myself into all kinds of interesting positions, forget it. I haven't competed since the eighth grade. I'm no longer the limber, wet noodle I once was."

Theo laughed at the comment. "She knows you pretty fucking well, Jax."

"Aren't you two done with your pig troughs yet?" I asked.

"Yeah, we should get going, Cru. Dad is taking some bachelor party group out on the boat today. We're both helping."

"Yeah, why the hell couldn't it be a bachelorette party?" Crusoe asked as he carried his container to the sink.

"Right. Bachelorette parties always plan deep sea fishing expeditions," Theo answered as they walked out of the kitchen.

Bridget nodded with approval as she finished a bite of waffle. "Frozen waffles. One of the true wonders of the world. I guess you've got to head into work?"

"Unfortunately. But I like to eat and stay under a roof, so there's no avoiding it.

You're welcome to stay. It'll kill me all day knowing that you're here without me, but it'll also be nice knowing that you'll be here when I get home.

" I reached up and lightly touched the bruise that covered most of her cheek. "Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore. Now I just look like a prizefighter. I should probably get home. I'm actually surprised that Dad hasn't sent the driver to pick me up." As she said it there was a knock on the door.

Bridget moved to get up.

"Nope, I'll get it." I walked to the door and opened it. "Officer Prentiss."

"Jaxon." He nodded. Prentiss was a leathery old guy who used to be big and beefy, but age had shrunk him some, and too many donuts and burgers had given him a belly that dropped down over his gun belt.

He was a tough old shit, but he always looked less confident when facing down a Stone.

This morning he lifted his chin to show he wasn't going to take any crap from me.

"I'm looking for Bridget Walsh. Do you have her here?"

I laughed. "Do I have her here? You mean like a kidnapping victim or hostage?"

His cheeks turned ruddy red. "No, I didn't say that." He huffed in aggravation. "Look, I've just had to deal with Nathan Walsh, and I'm not in the mood for this shit, Jax. Is Bridget here?"

Bridget came around the corner. "I'm here, and I'm on my way home."

Prentiss looked her up and down and then, for no reason at all, he scowled at me.

"Fuck, Prentiss, she's a grown-up."

"Did you—" he paused. "Did you—" He pointed at his own face.

"Seriously? Did you just ask me if I hit her? When have you ever known a Stone to hit a woman?" I was pissed enough to make him back up a few steps. "Why don't you ask Alex Hurst how that bruise got there instead of accusing me."

Prentiss put up his hands. "All right, all right, Jax. I needed to ask. It's my job." He looked past me. "Miss Walsh, why don't you get dressed, and I'll give you a ride back home. Your dad is waiting for you."

"Yes, I'm sure he's very worried," she said wryly.

"Hey, Gidge, just stay here. You're a grown woman. Make your own choices." The words came out wrong, and she instantly bristled.

"I know that, Jax. And it seems every time I try and make my own decision, a man tries to make the decision for me."

"No, I didn't mean that, Bridget. It just came out badly. You can stay if you like."

"I should probably go home before my dad sends out the national guard." She laughed sadly. "You'd almost think the man cared about my safety, but he really just wants to make sure he still has control. And I'm sorry I snapped." She looked past me. "I'll be right down, officer."

I closed the door, leaving Prentiss on the front stoop. I followed Bridget up the stairs. "Are you sure about this?" I asked her as we reached the bedroom.

Bridget turned around and landed snugly in my arms. "My dad is up to something shady, and the only way I can find out what he's up to is by hanging around his house.

" She kissed me. "I'll be back soon." She reached up and pressed her palm against my face.

I held it there and closed my eyes. Her touch always made my chest tighten.

"If you need me, Gidge—You call me, right? I'll jump the fucking walls of that prison compound and take 'em both out, I swear. If they lay one hand on you?—"

She hopped on her toes and circled her arms around my neck.

"I'll be fine, but thanks for being my knight in shining armor.

Now I see what the big deal is all about.

No wonder those fairy tale princesses were always singing their praises.

I've never felt protected until now, Jax, and it's nice.

It's really nice." She kissed me. "Go to work, and I'll call you later. "